Effect of variables on mechanical property and peamebility of polyethylene-rice husk ash film

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the effects of variables on mechanical property and gas
permeability of film produced from Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) mixed with rice husk ash. The studied
variables were the portions of rice husk ash (0%, 10%, 20% and 30% by weight) blended in the film and the
stretching ratios during film forming (100%, 135%, 150% and 170%). These variables affected the film
property, such as tensile strength and elongation at break, water vapor transmission rate and oxygen transmission rate of the film. The results of the study indicated that increasing the amount of rice husk ash
blended in film and the stretching ratio caused an increase in tensile strength, but reduced the elongation at
break. Increasing the stretching ratio led to an increase in both water vapor and oxygen transmission rate of
the film. Results of applying film for chilli packaging showed that the film containing 30% rice husk ash and
with stretching ratio of 170% could extend chilli shelf life up to 80 days while the conventional polyethylene
film could keep chilli for only 20 days.